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Andrew Leonard’s piece in Rolling Stone last week, “How LSD Microdosing Became the Hot New Business Trip,” caught my attention for two reasons--the first of which was shock at this new “trend,” but then awe at the lengths twentysomethings will go to in order to enhance their creativity and productivity at work.

Are things so dire in the workplace that some persons are now turning to microdoses of psychedelics in order to reach new heights in creativity?

So, we all need a little pick-me-up at work--but maybe a grande Starbucks coffee, Monster energy drink or a 5-Hour Energy might not be enough for some “ubersmart twentysomethings,” as James Fadiman, author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, explains in the Rolling Stone article.

It seems that the “ubersmart twentysomething set” is looking for a “healthy” alternative to Adderall, with the motivation being partly driven by a search for the creative and innovative effects from LSD, explains Fadiman. Since he first described the concept of microdosing at a conference in 2011, the number of people experimenting with this technique using LSD has been increasing, he reports.

The trend in the workplace, according to Fadiman, seems to be strongest in San Francisco, but there are examples from all over the globe describing this disturbing trend.

Fadiman told Rolling Stone that he recommends microdosing every fourth day by taking the drug in the morning and going about your normal daily activities. He reports that people have written to him that this regimen has helped to enhance “outside-the-box thinking” while also reducing a litany of other problems such as migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome and even depression.

LSD: Safe to Microdose?

LSD (d-lysergic acid) is a potent hallucinogen or psychoactive compound that essentially supercharges or stimulates the nervous system. LSD, which became popular in the 1960s, is derived from ergot, a fungus that grows on grains such as rye. Dr. Tomothy Leary, a Harvard psychologist, experimented with the drug for “spiritual growth” and its mind-altering effects. He also was a believer that the drug led to states of intellectual enlightenment.

LSD elevates your blood pressure and heart rate, and can cause nausea, dizziness, palpitations and sweating. It may even lead to contractions of the uterus, so could cause premature labor or even lead to a miscarriage if a pregnant woman were to take it.

LSD may also precipitate the serotonin syndrome, especially in those persons already taking medications such as SSRIs for depression, characterized by elevated blood pressure, heart rate, agitation and elevated body temperatures, which can result in seizures and lead to a comatose state.

In a nutshell, LSD produces a sensory overload of the brainstem, resulting in hallucinations, illusions and poor judgment, as well as a phenomenon described as “sensory crossover,” such as smelling colors or seeing smells.

The important thing to keep in mind is that reactions to using LSD may vary, depending on the dose and your mood, expectations and surroundings, as well as the people or company around you. Although the dose is known as “micro,” it’s still possible that you could have an adverse reaction.

While laboratory-quality LSD may be “pure” with a wide margin of safety, LSD sold on the street may be laced with other dangerous drugs including PCP, bath salts or even cocaine, making the effects highly unpredictable.

People can still experience bad trips with pure LSD, experiencing terror, confusion, anxiety and extreme paranoia that may last many hours. Such extreme feelings of agitation and anxiety can lead to an accidental death or suicide as people experience panic and try to escape their hallucinations.

Those experienced taking LSD will accept these bad trips as mere side effects of their mind-altering experience. Experienced users often say that being in a safe and controlled environment and surroundings is important until the drug’s effects dissipate.

Flashbacks are reported by users as a long-term effect, even after the drug’s effects have resolved, occurring weeks to months later. It is believed that flashbacks represent re-activations of unconscious thoughts first activated when the drug took effect.

LSD's effects can last up to 12 hours, with a peak effect in 3-6 hours. The drug is excreted in urine after being metabolized in the liver, but its metabolites can still be detected in urine and blood up to five days after use, depending on body habitus, age, metabolism and genetics. (In most cases, it is not detectable after 24 hours.) It also does not remain in the spinal fluid or spinal cord as it was once believed.

There is a weak association or link between one time use and chronic psychosis. However, some research does point to the fact that LSD can precipitate or trigger a psychotic episode in persons predisposed to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.